CRAIG Bellamy put the "worst few days of his life" behind him to give Wales a lead in last night's historic 1-1 draw against World Cup favourites Argentina.

A brush with the law last week, resulting in a caution for common assault was hanging over his head before last night's international.

But the Cardiff-born striker, who has scored 14 goals for Newcastle United this season, left his troubles behind him to head his country into a 35th-minute lead.

Speaking exclusively to the Echo, Bellamy said: "It has been a terrible week for me.

"A lot of people have tried to stick the boot in and have a go over the last few days. But the only way to answer them is to play football and do well.

"And that's exactly what I have done against Argentina.

"One moment your life is turned upside down and the next it's back up there. I have set myself certain challenges in my football career and it's up to me to back them up."

Bellamy's pace caused panic for the Argentinian defenders, but the winger believes there's still room to improve.

"I had an okay game, but I can play a lot better," he said. "Like Giggs, I'm playing in a different-position to what I'm use to at my club. But it's to the benefit of the team and it's not a problem.

"It takes time to adjust to a new style of play and, of course, to players you are not playing with every week.

"People say when you are on a run of good games or scoring regularly, it just keeps going and that's what is happening for me at the moment.

"Around this time last year I was at Coventry facing relegation. One year on and we're scoring and drawing against one of the best teams in world football. It's like that sometimes.

Julio Cruz saved Argentina from an embarrassing defeat, drilling home the 62nd-minute equaliser from a Juan Sebastian Veron's precision pass.

But Wales fully deserved their draw and it was Bellamy's effort that was the highlight of a fine all-round display by Mark Hughes' men.

"It was great to get a goal," he added. "I just managed to get the right side of the defender and then he was always struggling to get in front of me and the ball. I just knew I had to get a decent touch to it.

"Ryan and I add pace to the team, but we also work hard to track back and we are becoming hard to beat."